Burial vault with sectional inclined sidewalls



Sept. 20, 1966 J. J. 'rRzEsNlEwsKl BURIAL vAuLT WITH sEcTIoNAL INCLINED sIDEwALLs 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept. 17, 196.?A

United States Patent O 3,273,294 BURIAL VAULT WITH SECCGHUNAL INCMIQED SIDEWALLS Joseph Jl. 'Irzesniewsith 1711 W. Lincoln Ave., Milwaukee, Wis. Filed Sept. 17, 1963, Ser. No. 309,501 12 Claims. (Cl. ft2- 141) This application is a continuation-impart of my pending patent application now abandoned, Serial No. 108,588 tiled May 8, 1961, for a Burial Vault.

This invention relates generally to burial vaults and more particularly to an improved burial vault formed of a plurality of reinforced concrete plates that may be assembled at the site of the grave.

Concrete burial vaults are lowered into a grave to receive the coiiin and protect it andthe corpse from water, insects and burrowing animals. The present practice is to cast the bottom and sides of these vaults as an integral unit with the cover being removable to provide access for the coffin. Concrete vaults fabricated in this manner are very awkward to handle by reason of their weight and bulk. In addition, they are expensive to ship and store because of the relatively large amount of space that they occupy.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an improved reinforced concrete burial vault for protecting the coffin and the corpse in the grave.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved concrete burial vault that may be disassembled to facilitate its shipment and storage.

Another object is to provide a burial vault formed of a plurality of flat plates that may be assembled at the site of the grave in which it is to buried.

Another object is to provide a burial vault that can be assembled into a sealed unit that will effectively prevent water from seeping into its interior.

A further object is to provide a burial vault assembled from at plates which form joints that are especially adapted to retain the assembly together without the use of bolts, pins or other fasteners, the assembly being shaped to take advantage of the weight of the earth above it for applying pressure on the plates of the vault for retaining the assembly together and for continuously maintaining the joints of the vault sealed to form a watertight compartment.

A further object is to provide a concrete burial vault with a unitary liner that is secured in the interior of the vault as an added protection for safeguarding the contents of the vault.

A further object is to provide an improved burial vault that eiciently protects its contents and which is of simple and inexpensive but sturdy construction.

Accordingly to this invention the improved reinforced concrete burial vault comprises six fiat plates that may be readily assembled at the site of the grave to form a sturdy and watertight burial vault. The six pla-tes include two end pieces, two side pieces, a bottom and a cover. A groove is formed in the upper surface of the bottom plate to extend along the four edges of the plate for receiving the bottom edges of the two end pieces and the two side pieces. The side edges of the two end pieces are joined to the side edges of the two side pieces by rabbet joints. The top edges of the end pieces and side pieces are shaped so that a cross section through them appears as an inverted V for reception in a V groove formed in the undersurface of the cover and extending along its four edges. The six flat plates are therefore shaped to form joints which are especially adapted to retain the assembly together without bolts, pins or other fasteners.

The joints are also especially adapted to receive a sealant for producing a fully watertight compartment. In addi- 3,273,294 Patented Sept. 20, 1956 tion, a unitary liner having a top opening may be included within the burial vault and secured therein by a lip extending from the perimeter of the opening of the liner into the V joint joining the cover and the side and end pieces so that the weight on the cover clamps the liner in position within the vault.

The side and end pieces extend upwardly from the bottom plate and are all inclined inwardly to present inwardly sloping sides. With this arrangement, the weight of the earth on top of the burial vault serves to exert a constant pressure on the top and sides of the vault and such pressure functions to close the joints of the vault and prevents their separation so that the entire assembly is securely held together. Since the cover cooperates in holding the side and end pieces together when the vault is completely assembled, a band is provided to encircle the upstanding sides of the vault to hold them together while handling the assembly until the cover is applied.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention which will become apparent from the following detailed specification setting forth an illustrative embodiment, may be achieved by the particular apparatus depicted in and describe-d in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a burial vault incorporating the features ofthe present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a view in vertical longitudinal section through the burial vault taken along the plane vrepresented by the line 2 2 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a view in transverse vertical section taken through the burial vault along the plane represented by the line 3-3 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a detail plan view of the bottom plate of the burial vault illustrated in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 5 is a detail perspective view depicting one of the end plates of burial vault illustrated in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary detail view of a corner of the burial vault shown in FIGURE 1 with parts broken away to clearly show the joint which forms the juncture between adjacent plates; and

FIGURE '7 is a detail perspective view of a liner adapted to be secured within the burial vault.

Reference is now made more particularly to the drawings and specifically to FIGURE 1 thereof which illustrates a reinforced concrete burial vault incorporating the features of the present invention. It comprises a reinforced concrete bottom plate 1t) which supports the assembly. An end piece or plate 11 formed of reinforced concrete extends upwardly from the edge of one end of the bottom plate 10 and a similar end piece or plate 12 extends upwardly from the edge of the opposite end of the bottom plate 10. The end pieces 11 and 12 are inclined inwardly from the end edges of the bottom plate 10.

In like manner, two reinforced concrete side pieces or plates 13 and 1411 extend upwardly from the side edges of the bottom plate 10 and are inclined inwardly toward each other from the bottom plate 10 at an angle which conforms approximately to the angle of inclination of the end pieces 11 and 12. As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the side edges of both end pieces 11 and 1.2 are rabbeted for receiving the ends of the side pieces 13 and 14. Thus, the rabbeting of the side edges of the end pieces 11 and 12 forms a surface 15 along the length of each side edge of the end pieces 11 and 12 as well as a surface 16 adjacent to the surface 15 but tapered inwardly to reduce the width of the exposed edges 17 of the end pieces 11.

As best shown in FIGURE 6, the edge of the interior surface of the side piece 13 rests upon the rabbet surface 15 while the end edge of the side piece 13 abuts against the rabbet surface 16 but since the latter is tapered with respect to the surface of the end piece 11, only the inner corner of the edge of the side plate 13 engages the sur- ICC face 16 and leaves a wedge shaped opening along the entire juncture of the side plate 13 with the end plate 11 with the wide end of the opening being disposed along the outer surface of the burial vault for receiving a strip of sealing material 19 such as asphalt or similar substance. Although only one side corner of the burial vault is illustrated in FIGURE 6, the other three side corners are provided with identical joints to form a `sealed juncture of the side edges of the end plates 11 and 12 with the side edges of the side plates 13 and 14.

As clearly shown in FIGURE 4, the bottom plate 1f) is provided with a shallow groove 25 in its top surface. The groove 25 extends about all four edges of .the bottom plate being displaced slightly inwardly from the extremities of the bottom plate 10 to form a lip 26 about the entire perimeter of the top surface of .the plate.

The groove is formed in the bottom plate 10 for receiving the bott-om edges of the two end plates 11 and 12 as well as the bottom edges of the .two side plates 13 and 14. This arrangement serves to prevent the displacement of the side and end plates relative to the bottom plate 10. In addition, the lip 26 provides a surface on the exterior of the vault for the reception of a strip of sealing material 27 which effectively seals the juncture of the side and end plates with the bottom plate 10 for preventing the entrance of water or dampness into the interior of the vault. In practice, it may be advisable as a precautionary measure to place some sealing material in the groove 25 before inserting the bottom edges of the end pieces 11 and 12 and the side pieces 13 and 14 in the groove 25 to insure that any irregularities in the parts will be filled to insure the existence of a positive seal. The bottom edges of the end pieces 11 and 12 as well as of the side pieces 13 and 14 are formed at the proper angle with respect to the surfaces of the respective plates so that the bottom edges lie flush on the surface of the groove 25 while the plates are inclined inwardly toward each other to obtain the desired effect.

The end pieces 11 and 12 and the side pieces 13 and 14 resting upon the bottom plate 10 and joined at their ends form an enclosure with a top opening which is closed by a cover plate 30. The latter is similarly formed of reinforced concrete. As clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the under surface of the cover plate 30 is provided with a V groove 31 at all four edges of its under surface for cooperation with complementary V shaped upper edges of the two end plates and two side plates. Thus, the end plate 11 is provided with an upper V edge 32 while an identical V edge 33 is formed in the upper edge of the end plate 12. In like manner, an upper V edge 34 is provided in the side plate 13 and an identical V edge 35 is formed in the upper edge of the side plate 14.

When the cover plate is placed on the assembly, its V groove 31 receives the four V edges 32, 33, 34 and 35 to create an effective seal between the cover plate and the two side plates 13 and 14 aswell as the two end plates 11 and 12. In addition to the natural seal formed by the V joints of the cover plate with the end and side plates, -the cover plate is formed so that its edges do not extend to the outer surfaces of the end and side plates to leave a slight ledge 36 as shown in FIG. 1 for the reception of a sealing material 37 which is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. In order to better illustrate the construction, the sealing material 27 has been shown applied to only a portion of the lip 26 in order to avoid covering the entire lip 26 in FIGURE 1. However, it should be understood that the sealing material 27 will be applied to the entire perimeter of the bottom plate 10 on the lip 26 for sealing the juncture between the side and end plates and the bottom plate 10. In like manner and for the same reason, only a portion of the sealing material 37 has been shown applied to the ledge 36 and the cover 30 in FIGURE 1 to avoid covering the entire ledge 36. In practice however, a complete seal will be obtained by applying the sealing material 37 about the entire perimeter of the cover plate 30 and to the entire ledge 36. As a further precautionary measure it may be desirable to coat the surfaces of either the four V edges 32, 33, 34 and 35 or the V groove 31 or both with a sealing material before assembling the cover to the vault to insure that any irregularities in the parts are filled as an added protective measure.

In practice, it is usually necessary to handle the assembly of the bottom plate 10 and the two side plates 13 and 14 with the end plates 11 and 12 before the cover plate 30 has been applied. Since the groove 31 in the cover plate 30 cooperates with the groove 25 in the bottom plate 10 for retaining the side and end plates in position, the side and end plates could be inadvertently displaced laterally while handling the burial vault before the cover plate 3ft is applied or during the insertion of a coflin into the interior of the vault. In order to avoid such accidental displacement, a band 40 is placed about the perimeter of the vault to embrace the two end plates 11 and 12 as well as the two side plates 13 and 14 to preclude their accidental lateral displacement. The two ends of the band 40 are secured to each other by a fastener 41 which may be a rivet, -bolt and nut or similar appliance. It has been found to be convenient to fasten the two ends -of the band 40 with the fastener 41 before applying it to the assembly and then merely force it downwardly from the top of the assembly.

Under some circumstances some individuals may desire to provide the very utmost in protection to the coin contained in the burial vault. In order to satisfy these requirements, a liner 45 may be included in the interior of the vault for the reception of the coffin. The construction of the vault is especially well adapted to cooperate with such liner. Thus, the liner 45 rests upon the top surface of the bottom plate 10 and its Walls reach approximately to the location of the under surface of the cover 30 as clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As best shown in FIGURE 7, a flange 46 extends outwardly from the upper edge of all four walls of the liner 45. This flange 46 rests upon a portion of the V edges 32 and 33 of the end plates 11 and 12, respectively, as well as the V edges 34 and 35 of the two side plates 13 and 14, respectively. The flange 46 is of a length to engage only a portion of the inner leg-s of the four V edges and is securely clamped by the pressure upon the cover plate 30 between the V groove 31 of the cover plate and the innermost portion of the inner leg of the V edges of the two side and two end plates.

The presence of the flange 46 in a portion of the V groove 31 will prevent the remaining portion of the V groove 35 to come into tight engagement with the V edges 32, 33, 34 and 35. However, this is taken advantage of by lling the space thus formed between the V edges and the V groove 31 with the sealing material 37 to form a very effective seal for preventing the entrance of moisture into the interior of the vault. Although the liner 45 may 4be fabricated of a variety of materials it is preferably molded of plastic without any seams, or a plurality of molds may be utilized to form different portions of the liner 45 and the several portions then united by fused seams to form an impervious unit.

The bottom plate 10 and the cover plate 30 as well as the end plates 11 and 12 and the side pieces 13 and 14 are all formed of reinforced concrete to produce an extremely strong structure and avoid a rupture of the plates whe-n stressed. Although other forms of reinforcing may be utilized, the illustrated embodiment is depicted as being reinforced `by the conventional wire mesh steel reinforcement 50.

When the burial vault of the present invention is buried in the grave, the weight of the earth on the cover plate 30 and the inwardly inclined surfaces presented by the end plates 11 and 12 and the side plates 13 and 14 serves to exert a tremendous pressure upon each Qf the d joints of the vault to effectively seal the assembly. Thus, the pressure exerted by the earth upon the end pieces lll and l2 serves to force the rabbet surfaces le into tight engagement with the end edges of the side pieces ll and 14. By the same token, the weight of the earth on the inclined surfaces of the side plates l?) and forces the end edges of the interior surfaces of the side plates 13 and ltd against the rabbet surfaces l5 formed in the rabbeted edges of the end plates ll and l2. In like manner, the weight of the earth upon the cover plate 3i) forces the bottom edges of the end plates ll and l2 and the side plates t3 and ld into extremely tight engagement with the bottom surface of the groove 25 formed in the bottom plate lll. ln like manner, the weight of the earth upon the cover plate du forces the V groove 31 of the cover plate into extremely tight engagement with the V edges 32, 33, 34 and 35' of the side and end plates when the liner 45 is omitted. When the liner 45 is included as a part of the assembly, the weight of the earth upon the cover plate 3U very securely clamps the flange 46 between the top edges of the side and end plates and a portion of the wall of the groove 3l in the cover plate 3b. Furthermore, if the flange 4d is formed of plastic, the material will yield somewhat under the pressure applied to fully accommodate any irregularities that may be present in the adjoin* ing surfaces for producing a superior seal. This seal, of course, is in addition to the sealing obtained with the sealing materials 27 and 37.

The sealing materials 27 and 37 constitute a precau tionary measure to avoid any possibility of moisture in any form from entering the interior of the vault. Since the pressure is being constantly applied by the weight of the earth to hold the joints in tight engagement and prevent their displacement, there are no factors present tending to break the seal so that a permanent water tight seal is obtained which produces a superior protection for the interior of the vault.

From the foregoing detailed description of the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, it will be apparent that a new and improved burial vault has been provided which is formed of six flat plates that may be readily stored, shipped and handled, and which may be easily assembled at the grave. Although the vault is formed of several distinct plates assembled together, the unique shape of the vault and the novel arrangement of the joints that unite the several plates together take advantage of the weight of the earth upon the vault to effectively seal the joints formed by the assembly of parts to provide a water-tight construction.

Although the illustrative embodiment of the invention has `been described in considerable detail for the purpose of making a full disclosure of a practical operative arrangement by means of which the invention may be practiced, it is to be understood that various novel features of the invention may be incorporated in other arrangements without departing from the spirit and scope of the inve-ntion as delined in the subjoined claims.

The principles of the invention having now been fully explained in connection with the foregoing description of the illustrative embodiments, the invention is hereby claimed as follows:

l. ln a burial vault; a bottom plate having two ends and two sides as well as a groove in its upper surface extending about its perimeter adjacent to the edges of the upper surface to form a lip surrounding the groove and defining the extremities of the upper surface of said bottom plate; a pair of end pieces having their bottom edges disposed in the groove of said bottom plate with one of said end pieces extending upwardly from each end of said bottom plate and inclined inwardly toward each other; a pair of side pieces having their bottom edges disposed in the groove of said bottom plate with one of said side pieces extending upwardly from each side of said bottom plate and inclined inwardly toward each other; a plurality of rabbet joints, each of said rabbet joints joining a side edge of one of said side pieces to an adjoining side edge of one of said end pieces to form an enclosure open at the top and leaving said lip on said bottom plate exposed, each of said rabbet joints having two adjacent surfaces that are tapered relative to each other so that they form a wedge shaped opening extending through the height of said side and end pieces and opening into the outer surface of the enclosure; a strip of sealing material in each of the Wedge shaped openings for sealing said rabbet joints; a strip of sealing material disposed on said lip and in Contact with the adjacent surfaces of said side and end pieces to seal the juncture of said side and end pieces with said bottom plate; a V edge formed in the top edge of each of said side and end pieces; a cover plate having a V groove formed in its bottom surface and resting on the top edge of said side and end pieces with its V groove engaged by the V edges of said side and end pieces for closing the top of the enclosure and retaining said side and end pieces in position in the assembly, the extremities of said cover plate being disposed on the top edges of said side and end pieces so that it leaves the exterior portions of the top edges exposed for forming: a ledge about the periphery of said cover plate; and a strip of sealing material located on said ledge and in contact with the adjacent edges of said cover plate to seal the juncture of said cover plate with said side and end pieces; whereby the weight of the earth on the assembled burial vault serves to apply pressure upon said inclined side and end pieces as well as upon said cover plate to hold the several joints in tight engagement.

2. In a burial vault; a bottom plate having two ends and two sides as well as a groove in its upper surface extending about its perimeter adjacent to the edges of the upper surface to form a lip surrounding the groove and defining the extremities of the upper surface of said bottom plate; a pair of end pieces having their bottom edges disposed in the groove of said bottom plate with one of said end pieces extending upwardly from each end of said bottom plate and inclined inwardly toward each other; a pair of side pieces having their bottom edges disposed in the groove of said bottom plate with one of said side pieces extending upwardly from each side of said bottom plate and inclined inwardly toward each other, said side pieces being in engagement with said end pieces to form an enclosure open at the top and leaving said lip on said bottom plate exposed; a strip of sealing material disposed on said lip and on the adjacent surfaces of said side and end pieces to seal the juncture of said side and end pieces with said bottom plate; a cover plate resting on the top edges of said end and side pieces for closing the top of the enclosure, the extremities of said cover plate being disposed on the top edges of said side and end pieces so that it leaves the exterior portions of the top edges exposed for forming a ledge about the periphery of said cover plate; a second strip of sealing material located on said ledge and in contact with the adjacent edges of said cover plate to seal the juncture of said cover plate with said side and end pieces; first joining means retaining the junctures of said side pieces with said end pieces; and second joining means retaining the junctures of said cover plate with the top edges of siid side and end pieces so that the weight of the earth on the assembled burial vault serves to apply pressure upon said inclined side and end pieces as well as `upon said cover plate to hold said joining means in tight engagement and the bottom edges of said side and end pieces in tight engagement in the groove to for-m a sealed enclosure yfor protecting the contents of the burial vault.

3. In a burial vault; a bottom plate having two ends and two sides as well as a groove in its upper surface extending about its perimeter adjacent to the edges of the upper surface; a pair of end pieces having their bottom edges disposed in the groove of said `bottom plate with one of said end pieces extending upwardly from each end of said bottom plate and inclined inwardly toward each other; a pair of side pieces having their bottom edges disposed in the groove of said bottom plate with one of said side pieces extending upwardly from each side of said bottom plate and inclined inwardly toward each other, said side pieces being in engagement with said end pieces to form an enclosure open at the top; a cover plate resting on the top edges of said end pieces and said side pieces for closing the top of the enclosure, the extremities of said cover plate being disposed on the top edges of said side and end pieces so that it leaves the exterior portions of the top edges exposed for forming a ledge about the periphery of said cover plate; a sealing material disposed on said ledge and in contact with the adjacent edges of said cover plate to seal the juncture of said cover plate with said .side and end pieces; first joining means retaining the junctures of said side pieces with said end pieces; and second joining means retaining the junctures of'said cover plate with the top edges of said side and end pieces so that the weight of the earth on the assembled burial vault serves to apply pressure upon said inclined side and end pieces as well as upon said cover plate to hold said joining means in tight engagement and the bottom edges of said side and end pieces in tight engagement in the groove to form a sealed enclosure for protecting the contents of the burial vault.

4. In a burial vault; a bottom plate having two ends and two sides as well as a groove in its upper surface extending about its perimeter adjacent to the edges of the upper surface to form a lip surrounding the groove arid defining the extremities of the upper surface of said bottom plate; a pair of end pieces having their bottom edges disposed in the groove of said bottom plate with one of said end pieces extending upwardly from each end of said bottom plate and inclined inwardly toward each other; a pair of side pieces having their bottom edges disposed in the groove of said bottom plate with one of said side pieces extending upwardly from each side of said bottom plate and inclined inwardly toward each other, said side pieces being in engagement with said end pieces to form an enclosure open at the top land leaving said lip on said bottom plate exposed; a sealing material disposed on said lip and on the adjacent surface of said side and end pieces to seal the juncture of said side and end pieces. with said bottom plate; a cover plate resting on the top edges of said end pieces and said. side pieces for closing the top of the enclosure; rst joining means retaining the junctures of said side pieces with said end pieces; and second joining means retaining the junctures of said cover plate with the top edges of said side and end pieces so that the weight of the earth on the assembled 'burial vault `serves to apply pressure upon said inclined side and end pieces as well as upon said cover plate to hold said joining means in tight engagement and the bottom edges of said side and end pieces in tight engagement in the groove to form `a sealed enclosure for protecting the contents of the burial vault.

5. In a burial vault; a bottom plate having two ends and two sides; a pair of end pieces, one of said end pieces extending upwardly from the top surface at each end of said bottom plate `and being inclined inwardly toward each other; a pair of side pieces, one of said side pieces extending upwardly from the top surface at each side of said bottom plate and being inclined inwardly toward each other; a plurality of rabbet joints, each of said rabbet .joints joining a side edge of one of said `side pieces to an adjoining side edge of one of said end pieces to form an enclosure open at the top with each of said rabbet joints having two adjacent surfaces of adjoining pieces that are tapered relative to each other so that they form a wedge shaped opening extending through the height of the side and end pieces and opening into the outer surface of the enclosure; a strip of sealing material in each of the wedge shaped openings for sealing said rabbet joints;

means joining the bottoni edges of said side and end pieces to said bottom plate; and a cover plate resting on the top edges of said end pieces and said side pieces to close the opening in the enclosure; whereby the weight of the earth on the assembled burial vault serves to apply pressure upon said inclined side and end pieces as well as said cover to hold the joints in tight eng-agement.

6. yIn a burial vault; a bottom plate having two ends and two sides; a pair of end pieces, one of said end pieces extending upwardly from t-he top surface at each end of said bottom plate and being inclined inwardly toavard each other; a pair of side pieces, one of said side pieces extending upwardly from the top surface at each side of said bottom plate and being inclined inwardly toward each other |with said side pieces in engagement with said end pieces to yform an enclosure open at the top, the outer edges of said side and end pieces engaging the top surface of said bottom plate inside the perimeter of the top surface of said bottom plate to yform a lip on said bottom `plate about the perimeter of the enclosure, each of the junctures of said side pieces with said end pieces having adjacent surfaces of adjoining pieces tapered relative to each other so that they form a wedge shaped opening extending through the height of said side and end pieces and opening into the outer surface oif the enclosure; means joining the bottom edges of said side and end pieces to said bottom plate; a cover plate resting on the lt-op edges of said end pieces and said side pieces to close the opening in the enclosure, the extremities o-f said cover plate being disposed on the top edges of said side and end pieces so that it leaves the exterior portions of the top edges exposed for yforming -a ledge about the periphery of said cover plate; a strip of sealing material disposed on said l-ip and in contact with the adjacent surfaces of said side and end pieces to seal the juncture of sa'id side and end p-ieces with said bottom plate; a strip o-f sealing material located on said ledge and in contact with the adjacent edges of said cover plate to seal the juncture of saiid corver plate Iwith said side and end pieces; `and a strip of sealing material in each of the wedge shaped openings -for seal-ing the junctures of said side pieces with said end pieces; whereby the weight of the earth on the assembled burial vault serves to apply pressure upon said incl-ined side and end pieces as well las upon said cover plate to hold the several joints in tight engagement and the sealing material at the joints protects the interior of the vault from the entrance of moisture.

7. In a burial vault; a bottom plate having two ends `and two sides as well as a groove in its upper surface extending about its perimeter; a pair of end pieces each having a bottom edge, a top edge and two side edges, the bottom edge of each of said end pieces being disposed in the groove of said bottom plate with one of said end pieces extending upwardly Ifrom each end of said bottom plate and being inclined inwardly toward each other; a pair of side pieces each having a bottom edge, a top edge and tiwo side edges, the bottom edge of each olf said side pieces being disposed Kin the groove of said lbottom plate with one of said side pieces extending upwardly from each side of said bottom plate and inclined inwardly to- 'w-ard each other; a plurality of rabbet joints, each of said rabbet joints joining a side edge of one of said side pieces to an adjoining side edge of one of said end pieces to form an enclosure open at the top; la V edge formed in the top edge of each of said side and end pieces; a cover plate ihaving a V groove `formed in its bottom surface, said cover plate resting on said side and end pieces with its V groove engaged by the V edges of said side and end pieces for closing the top of the enclosure and retaining said side and end pieces in position in ythe assembly; and a strap in engagement with the outer surfaces of said side and end pieces and encircling the assembly to prevent displaoement of said side and end pieces during handling before said cover plate is installed; whereby the weight of the earth on the assembled burial vault serves to apply pressure upon said inclined side and end pieces as Well as upon said cover plate to hold the several joints in tight engagement to form a sealed enclosure for protecting the contents of the burial vault.

8. In a burial vault; a bot-tom plate having two ends and two sides as well as a groove in its upper surface extending about its perimeter; a pair of end pieces each having a Ibottom edge, a top edge and two side edges, the bottom edge of eac'h of said end pieces being disposed in the groove of said bottom plate with one of said end pieces extending uprwardly from each end of `said bottom plate and being inclined inwardly toward each other; a pair of side pieces each having a bottom edge, a top edge and two side edges, the bottom edge of each of said side pieces being disposed in the groove of said bottom plate with one of said side pieces extending upwardly from each side of said bottom plate and inclined inwardly toward each other; a plurality of rabbet joints, each of said rabbet joints joining a side edge of one of said side pieces to the adjoining side edge of one of said end pieces to form an enclosure open at the top; a V edge formed in the top edge of each of said side and end pieces; and a co'ver plate 'having a V groove formed in its bottom sunface, said cover plate resting on said `side and end pieces with its V groove engaged by the V edges of said side and end pieces for closing the top of the enclosure; whereby the weight of the earth on the assembled burial vault serves to apply pressure -upon said inclined side and end pieces as well as upon said cover to hold said rabbet joints and the V joints in tight engagement and the bottom edges of sa-id side and end pieces in tight engagement in the cooperating groove to form a sealed enclosure for protecting the interior of the burial vault.

9. In a burial vault; a bottom plate having two ends and two sides; a pair of end pieces, one of said end pieces extending upwardly from each end of said .bottom plate and inclined inwardly toward said bottom. plate; a pair of s-ide pieces, one of said side pieces extending upwardly [from each side of said bottom pla-te and inclined inwardly toward said bottom plate -with said side pieces being in engagement with said end pieces to form lan enclosure; a cover plate resting on the top edges of said end pieces and said side pieces; rab'beted joints joining said side pieces to said end pieces for sealing the enclosure; and a V joint joining said cover plate to the top edges of said side and end pieces for sealing the junctures; whereby the weight .of the earth on .the assembled burial vault serves to apply pressure upon said inclined side and end pieces as well as upon said cower to hold said rabbet joints and V point in tight engagement to form a sealed enclosure for protecting the interior of the burial vaul-t.

10. In a burial vault; `a bottom plate having two ends and two sides; a pair of end pieces with one of said end pieces extending upwardly from the top surface at each end of said bottom plate; a pair of side pieces, one of said side pieces extending upwardly from the top surface at each side of said bottom plate with said side pieces in engagement with said end pieces to form an enclosure open at the top, the outer edges of said side and end pieces engaging the top surface of said bottom plate inside the perimeter of the top surface of said bottom plate to form a lip on said bottom plate about the perimeter of the enclosure, each of the junctures of said side pieces with said end pieces having adjacent surfaces of adjoining pieces tapered relative to each other so that they form a wedge shaped opening extending through the height of said side and end pieces and opening into the outer surface of the enclosure; means securing the bottom edges of said side and end pieces to said bottom plate; a strip of sealing material in each of the wedge shaped openings for sealing the joints; a strip of sealing material disposed on said lip and in contact with the adjacent surfaces of said side and end pieces to seal the juncture of said side and end pieces with said bottom plate; a V edge formed in the top edge of each of said `side and end pieces; a -cover plate having a V groove formed in its bottom surface and resting on the top edges of said side and end pieces with its V groove engaged by the V edges of said side and end pieces for closing the top of the enclosure and retaining said side and end pieces in position in the assembly; a liner located within the enclosure formed by said bottom plate with said side and end pieces, said liner being open at the top; and a flange extending outwardly from said liner about the periphery of the opening in said liner, said flange being clamped between the V groove of said cover plate and the V ed-ges of said side and end pieces to secure the liner in position within the burial vault and seal its interior.

11. In a burial vault; a bottom plate having two ends and two sides; a pair 4of end pieces, one of said end pieces extending upwardly from each end of said bottom plate; a pair of side pieces, one of said side pieces extending upwardly from each side of said bottom plate with said side pieces being in engagement with said end pieces to form an enclosure; a cover plate resting on the top edges of said end pieces and said side pieces; a V joint joining said cover plate to the top edges of said side and end pieces for sealing the junctu-res; a liner resting on said bottom plate and located within the enclosure formed by said bottom plate with said side and end pieces, said liner being open at the top; and a flange extending outwardly from said liner about the periphery of the opening in said liner, said flange being clamped in said V joint between said cover plate and the top edges of `said side and end pieces to secure the liner in position within the burial vault and seal its interior.

12. yIn a burial vault; a bottom plate having two ends and two sides; a pair of end pieces, one of said end pieces extending upwardly from each end of said bottom plate; a pair of side pieces, one of said side pieces extending upwardly frorn each sid-e of `said bottom plate with said side pieces being in engagement with said end pieces to form an enclosure; a cover plate resting on the top edges of said end pieces and said side pieces; a liner formed of an impervious material and located within the enclosure formed by said bottom plate with said side and end pieces, said liner being open at the top; and a ange extending outwardly from said liner about the periphery of the opening in said liner, said flange being clamped between said cover plate and the top edges of said side and end pieces to secure the liner in position within the burial vault and seal its interior.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 240,382 4/1881 Bower 521-139 318,837 5/1885 Walsh 52-124 677,640 7/1901 Crew 52-142 1,012,433 12/1911 Prendergast 52--20 1,337,559 4/1920 Knight 52--142 1,339,920 5/1920 Davis 52-141 1,362,882 12/1920 McGair 52-142 1,683,265 9/1928 Scheel 52-142 1,920,101 7/1933 Nagel 52-142 2,007,151 7/1935 Knuth 52-11 3,130,520 4/1964 Newman 5.2-135 FOREIGN PATENTS 984,774 2/1951 France.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Exaiminer.

HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, Examiner.

I. L. RIDGILL, Assistant Examiner. 

10. IN A BURIAL VAULT; A BOTTOM PLATE HAVING TWO ENDS AND TWO SIDES; A PAIR OF END PIECES WITH ONE OF SAID END PIECES EXTENDING UPWARDLY FORM THE TOP SURFACE AT EACH END OF SAID BOTTOM PLATE; A PAIR OF SIDE PIECES, ONE OF SAID SIDE PIECES EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM THE TOP SURFACE AT EAC SIDE OF SAID BOTTOM PLATE WITH SAID SIDE PIECES IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID END PIECES TO FORM AN ENCLOSURE OPEN AT THE TOP, THE OUTER EDGES OF SAID SIDE AND END PIECES ENGAGING THE TOP SURFACE OF SAID BOTTOM PLATE INSIDE THE PERIMETER OF THE TOP SURFACE OF SAID BOTTOM PLATE TO FORM A LIP ON THE BOTTOM PLATE ABOUT THE PERIMETER OF THE ENCLOSURE, EACH OF THE JUNCTURES OF SAID SIDE PIECES WITH SAID END PIECES HAVING ADJACENT SURFACES OF ADJOINING PIECES TAPERED RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER SO THAT THEY FORM A WEDGE SHAPED OPENING EXTENDING THROUGH THE HEIGHT OF SAID SIDE AND END PIECES AND OPENING INTO THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE ENCLOSURE; MEANS SECURING THE BOTTOM EDGES OF SAID SIDE AND END PIECES TO SAID BOTTOM PLATE; A STRIP OF SEALING MATERIAL IN EACH OF THE WEDGE SHAPED OPENINGS FOR SEALING THE JOINTS; A STRIP OF SEALING MATERIAL DISPOSED ON SAID LIP AND IN CONTACT WITH THE ADJACENT SURFACES OF SAID SIDE AND END PIECES TO SEAL THE JUNCTURE OF SAID SIDE AND END PIECES WITH SAID BOTTOM PLATE; A VEDGE FORMED IN THE TOP EDGE OF EACH OF SAID SIDE AND END PIECES; A COVER PLATE HAVING A V GROOVE FORMED IN ITS BOTTOM SURFACE AND RESTING ON THE TOP EDGES OF SAID SIDE AND END PIECES WITH ITS V GROOVE ENGAGED BY THE V EDGES OF SAID SIDE AND END PIECES FOR CLOSING THE TOP OF THE ENCLOSURE AND RETAINING SAID SIDE AND END PIECES IN POSITION IN THE ASSEMBLY; A LINEAR LOCATED WITHIN THE ENCLOSURE FORMED BY SAID BOTTOM PLATE WITH SAID SIDE AND END PIECES, SAID LINER BEING OPEN AT THE TOP; AND A FLANGE EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM SAID LINER ABOUT THE PERIPHERY OF THE OPENING IN SAID LINER, SAID FLANGE BEING CLAMPED BETWEEN THE V GROOVE OF SAID COVER PLATE AND THE V EDGES OF SAID SIDE AND END PIECES TO SECURE THE LINER IN POSITION WITHIN THE BURIAL VAULT AND SEAL ITS INTERIOR. 